Forward targets glory after barren spell at Liverpool

The former Liverpool forward, 28, will join the Gulf League champions from Turkey's Kasimpasa on July 10.

Unlike the majority of the other European players in the Middle East, Babel's finest years are not necessarily behind him and he says his priority while there is to win trophies.

“I am very happy to move to Al Ain,” he said. "I want to regain the Asian Champions League and the President’s Cup, and retain the Arabian Gulf League title.

“Observers of Asian football have a good knowledge of Al Ain: they are a team full of stars and armed with a history full of achievements and championships.

AMBITIOUS: Ryan Babel hopes to win multiple trophies [GETTY]

“I’m very excited to start the season with the team, especially since negotiations were conducted in an excellent manner with high professionalism between all parties.

“I really wanted to represent Al Ain and I hope to repay the confidence shown in me by the coaching staff, led by Zlatko Dalic, so that I can make the fans of the team happy.”

Babel played in the Premier League with Liverpool after leaving Ajax for £11.5m in 2007.

Dutch icon Marco van Basten once said “[Babel] has the potential to be the next Thierry Henry”, but the forward struggled to justify both that comparison and his transfer fee before leaving Liverpool in January 2011.